Five Buffalo Bills players will enter training camp with their roster spots or roles far from guaranteed, here's who to keep an eye on come July and August.
With training camp just around the corner, much of the Buffalo Bills' 53-man roster is already taking shape.
Quarterback is set. Running back has few, if any, questions. Most of the starting offensive line and defense are already locked in.
The real battles will take place toward the bottom of the roster.
Whether it's veterans trying to hold onto a job or younger players looking to force their way onto the team, several Bills will enter camp with plenty to prove. Here are five players whose performances over the next several weeks could determine whether they're on the roster when Week 1 arrives.
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
No player on the roster may have a clearer path to a job than Hardman.
The problem is that his future in Buffalo probably won't be determined by what he does at wide receiver.
Instead, it'll come down to special teams.
The Bills would prefer not to use Khalil Shakir as their primary punt returner, especially considering his importance to the offense. That opens the door for Hardman, who was brought in last season to help in the return game before a calf injury ended his year almost as soon as it began.
If he proves he can be a reliable punt returner while staying healthy, he'll have a strong chance to make the roster. If not, Buffalo has other options.
WR Joshua Palmer
Palmer probably isn't a true roster bubble player. Still, there may not be a player with more to prove this summer.
The veteran receiver was brought in to strengthen Buffalo's receiving corps, but injuries have already become part of the conversation. If his ankle continues to be an issue or his production doesn't match expectations, the Bills could have a difficult decision to make.
Palmer's contract also gives Buffalo some flexibility if things don't work out. While cutting ties would result in $9.4 million of dead money, it would also create a little bit of cap space, making his training camp performance worth watching. There's always the potential of a trade over the summer, as well.
WR Tyrell Shavers
If there is one player who could play his way onto the roster this summer, it is Tyrell Shavers.
Before tearing his ACL last season, Shavers had begun turning heads with his combination of size, speed, and physicality. He even finished the game against Jacksonville after suffering the injury, a moment that only added to his reputation as one of the toughest players in the locker room.
If he's healthy, he'll have a legitimate chance to claim one of the final receiver spots.
DT DeWayne Carter
This feels like a pivotal year for Carter.
After dealing with injuries in each of his first two seasons, the 2024 third-round draft pick has appeared in limited action and recorded just 14 career tackles. Now entering his third year, he'll have to prove he can stay healthy and earn a role in a defensive front that continues to add talent.
The Bills still like his potential, but potential only carries a player so far.
DT Travis Clayton
Clayton will be one of the most fascinating players to watch this summer. After making the switch from offensive tackle to defensive line, Clayton is starting over at a new position while still learning the game itself.
If the move clicks, Buffalo could have another intriguing developmental piece. If it doesn't, the Bills have the luxury of continuing to develop him without rushing the process.
Roster battles are rarely decided by one preseason game or one impressive practice. They're won through consistency.
For players like Hardman, Shavers and Carter, every rep will matter. For Palmer, the focus will be proving he can stay healthy and deliver on expectations. And for Clayton, simply continuing to develop could be enough to keep the Bills excited about his future.
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